Thieves plunder apartment for Facebook booty

Don't flash your wares online, advises Sao Paulo cop

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São Paulo police are warning of the perils of flashing your wealth on Facebook after a teenager's snaps of his electronic equipment and foreign holidays on the social network prompted thieves to rob his family's apartment.

The unnamed 16-year-old was targeted by a student at his school when he "boasted among friends and put the information on Facebook", according to cop Fabiana do Sena.

The "envious" youngster, also 16, enlisted the help of two adults for the robbery, and provided them with keys he'd stolen from his intended victim a few days previously.

The two men entered the apartment in a middle class area of São Paulo at around 11pm on 29 November, where they held up four people, apparently at gunpoint.

During the heist, one of the perps got a call on his mobile phone and said: "There's not as much here as you said."

The pair eventually made off with jewellery, six watches, electronic equipment and R$370 (£130) in cash.

During their escape, they were intercepted by members of Sao Paulo's paramilitary police, and shot during a gun battle. They later died in hospital.

The teenager who instigated the robbery claimed he'd been pressured into it, Sena said.

The officer concluded: "Adolescents put personal information on these websites. It's important that parents advise them not do do this." ®